Two arrests made in USM players shooting; shooter sought

Hattiesburg police announced at an 11 a.m. press conference that two people from Bassfield were arrested in connection with the early Sunday morning shooting of three USM football players.

They also provided a name and physical description of a man they believe is the shooter.

Arrested are Patricia Loftin Brown, no age available, Cleothus Wilkerson, no age available. Each was charged with three counts of accessory after the fact of aggravated assault in the shooting of Martez Smith, Tim Green and Deddrick Jones, who were still hospitalized late Monday in fair condition at Forrest General Hospital.

The players were shot in the parking lot of the Remington's Hunt Club as it was closing when a crowd of people were leaving the building, police said. The players were at the club to celebrate a win over 25th ranked University of Central Florida earlier in the day.

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Police are looking for one man, Travis Brown, a black male, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. There are three warrants issued against Brown for aggravated assault.

If anyone has information, police are asking them to contact Hattiesburg Police's investigative division at 601-545-4911 or Metro CrimeStoppers at 601-582-7867.

Other arrests are expected, officials said.

Hattiesburg Sgt. Allen Murray warned that anyone who has information and does not come forward runs the risk of also being charged with accessory after the fact in the high-profiile shooting.

Coach Larry Fedora said Monday that Green was unable to speak and put in writing that he was sorry he let the team down. A Jackson television station reported that a family member of Smith, from Canton, did not have the use of his legs.

Police, the university and the hospital have been tight-lipped about details of the players' injuries but police said Monday they were shot in the upper torsos, some of them possibly more than once.

Check sunherald.com for updates as they become available. For a full story, see Wednesday's Sun Herald.